Multiple spray pattern device

ABSTRACT

A combination spray pattern selecting and valve operating assembly adapted to be mounted on a pressurized container having a valve comprises cap structure mounting a spray pattern selector member having at least two spaced bores therein containing insert plugs that are formed with through passages providing different spray patterns. The spray pattern selector member is mounted on said cap structure for rotation between positions wherein it may actuate the container valve to discharge container contents through one or the other of the insert passages.

McGliie et a1.

tates tent MULTIPLE SPRAY PATTERN DEVICE Inventors: Russell Park McGhie,Somers, N.Y.; I

Joseph George Ferraro, Wyckoff, NJ.

Coflgate-Palmolive Company, New York, N.Y.

Filed: .May 1, 1972 Appl. No.: 248,941

Related US. Application Data Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 171,146,Aug. 12, 1971, abandoned.

Assignee:

us. or 239/397, 222/402.17, 239/579 1nt.C1 nos!) 1/26 Field of Search...239/391, 392, 394, 397, 573,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS,

1/1973 Jones 239/397 4/1966 Bourke 4/1963 Meshberg 239/337 X Mar. 5,1974 3,703,994 11/1972 Nigro 239/397 3,112,885 12/1963 Bell et a1....239/397 X 3,637,142 1/1972- Gassaway... 239/397 X 3,642,180 2/1972Lehmann 239/337 X Primary ExaminerM. Henson Wood, .1 r.

Assistant ExaminerMichael Y. Mar

Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Strauch, Nolan, Neale, Nies & Kurz [5 7ABSTRACT A combination spray pattern selecting and valve operatingassembly adapted to be mounted on a pressurized container having a valvecomprises cap structure -mounting a spray pattern selector member havingat least two spaced bores therein containing insert plugs that areformed with through passages providing different spray patterns. Thespray pattern selector memher is mounted on .said cap structure forrotation between positions wherein it may actuate the container valve todischarge container contents through one or the other of the insertpassages.

20 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures PATENTEU 5W 3,795,366

saw 2 or 4 FIG 5 PATENTEI] MAR 5 I974 SHEET 3 (IF d MULTIPLE SPRAYPATTERN DEVICE This is a continuation-in-part of our application Ser.No. 171,146 filed Aug. 12, 1971 for Multiple Spray Pattern Device nowabandoned.

This invention relates to devices for selectively spraying the contentsof an aerosol or like pressurized container in different spray patterns.In its preferred embodiments it will be disclosed as an attachment formounting upon the discharge end of a more or less conventionalpressurized container and including an arrangement for operating thecontainer discharge valve and a readily operable adjustment forselecting a desired pattern of spray. These devices are of particularvalue for the spraying of hair treatment or holding fluids, liquidstarch, paint and other materials where different spray patterns may bedesirable or necessary for different conditions of use.

It has been proposed to provide selective spray devices for pressurizedcontainers, as for example those disclosed in Anderson et al. U.S. Pat.No. 2,887,273; Bourke U.S. Pat. No. 3,246,850; McKernan U.S. Pat. No.2,797,965 and Green U.S. Pats. Nos. 3,209,960 and 3,188,008. Some ofthese prior devices are concerned mainly with selecting differentquantity rather than different pattern sprays, and most comprise fairlycomplex valving arrangements that are expensive or present assemblyproblems.

The. present invention contemplates an inexpensive reliable multiplespray patter device that is easy to assemble, install and operate andmay be used as an attachment for conventional aerosol and likepressurized containers, and such is a major object.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel I combined valveactuating and multiple pattern spray head for a pressurized containerwherein the individual different spray pattern passages are formedthrough insert plugs mounted in a head member that is rotatable forpattern selection.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel combined valveactuating and multiple spray pattern head for a pressurized containerwherein the head embodies a cylindrical pattern selection memberpreferably in the form of a button peripherally rotatably mounted in ahollow boss in a cap structure adapted for mounting on the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. I is an elevation, partly in section,illustrating the basic concept of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an aerosol type container assembly thatincludes a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation, partly broken away and in section, showingdetails of the invention in its preferred embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a partial front elevation of the container assembly of FIGS. 2and 3 showing a discharge outlet;

FIG. 5 is a section substantially on line 5--5 of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation, partly broken away and insection. showing a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation partly in section showing anotherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a partial front elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view showing a further embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary front elevation showing the embodiment of FIG.10;

FIG. 12 is a side elevation partly broken away and in sectionsubstantially on line ll2I2 of FIG. 11 showing the spray dischargearrangements in the FIG. I0 embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary side view partly broken away and in sectionshowing the spray selector member rotated with respect to the FIG. I2position;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary side view similar to FIG. 13 but showing thespray selector member fully sectioned;

FIG. 15 is a bottom plan view of the selector member of-the FIG. 10-14embodiment apart from the assemy;

FIG. 16 is a section substantially on line I6l6 of FIG. 12 showinginternal details;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary elevation showing the cap grooves; and

FIG. I8 is a fragmentary development showing the location of the capgrooves and stop shoulders.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIG. I, an aerosol typecontainer II of a conventional type has a projecting hollow valve stem12-. Container 11 comprises a cylindrical body 13 joined to atop wall I4by a circumferential seam joint 15. At the upper end of the container asmaller diame ter circumferential seam joint I6 secures top wall I4 toan internal wall 17 that, see FIG. 3, has a central up standing section18 rigidly securing therewithin a hol low valve part I9 having an inletbore 21.

A resilient annulus 22 is compressed between valve part 19 and the upperend 23 of wall section I8 is formed with an opening 24 slidably passinga reduced portion 25 of valve stem 12 having a lateral port 26 normallyclosed by the surrounding bore 27 of annulus 22.

The enlarged lower end 28 of valve stem I2 is axially biased against thelower side of resilient annulus 22 by a compression spring 29, reactingbetween valve part 19 and the valve stem, to compress the annulussealingly around the valve stem to close port 26. When valve stem 12 isdepressed into the container, port 26 is lowered into communication withfluid under pressure entering bore 21 and the space around the lower endof stem 12 to discharge under pressure through the open end of stem 12.

The foregoing container and valve structure may be the same as thatdisclosed in U.S. Letters Pat. to Abplanalp No. 2,631,814 to whichreference may be made for added detail.

In FIG. 1 a spray pattern selector member in the form of a dual orificehead button 31 is provided at its lower side with downwardly opensimilar shallow recesses 32 and 33 each adapted to fit snugly upon theupper end of stem 12. Recess 32 communicates with a passage 34 extendingto a discharge port 35 at one side of the button, and recess 33communicates with a passage 36 extending to a discharge port 37 at theother side of the button. Passages 34 and 36 and discharge ports 35 and37 can be of different size and/or configuration to produce differentspray patterns at the discharge ports. The unit is adapted to dischargea different pattern from that available in the FIG. 1 position merely byaxially pulling the buttonoff stem 12 and inserting the stem 12 intorecess 33. Button 31 is here wholly supported by the valve stem ineither position, and is manually actuated to depress valve stem 12 todischarge contents of the container through the associated buttonpassage.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, the container 11 is the same asabove-described. A cap structure 41 is removably mounted on the upperend of the container, with the circular lower end of a flexible skirt 42resiliently seated in the groove around the inside of large diametercontainer seam in a known manner.

The upper end of the cap structure terminates-in an open dependinghollow boss 43 surroundingand rotatably mounting a multiple spraypattern selector member in the form of a cylindrical button 44. Asshown, button 44 has a peripheral recess 45 at the lower end of which isan external flange 46 in rotative bearing engagement with button 44.Button 44 is axially slidable in boss 43, within limits defined byflanges 46 and 47. At its upper end button 44 has an enlarged portion.48 terminating in a short downwardly extending rim 49.

As shown in FIG. 5, button 44 is formed with three l apart cylindricalbores 51, 52 and 53 which open downwardly only. Bores 51 and 52 are ofthe same size and adapted to tightly receive cylindrical insert plugs 54and 55 respectively. As shown in FIG. 3, insert plug 54 has a throughpassage comprising an enlarged downwardly open lower recessed or socketportion 56 providing a valve stem receiving recess of such diameter asto fit slidably snugly on the upper end of valve stem 12, anintermediate portion 57 in communication with the open upper end ofvalve stem 12 and an enlarged lateral outlet 58 through which theproduct is discharged.

when valve stem 12 is depressed.

As shown in FIGS. 3-5, bore 51 is so located adjacent the outerperiphery of button 44 as to be substantially tangent thereto, thatperiphery being moved or recessed so that (see FIG. 4) insert 54 ispartly laterally exposed through a side opening 50 in boss 43. Bore 51(FIG. 5) contains a longitudinal rib 59 that slidably coacts withlongitudinal groove 61 on insert 51 to insure that the insert 51 can bemounted in bore 51 only in such position that its discharge outlet 58faces substantially radially outwardly.

Similarly insert 55 is formed with the same general passage structure asinsert 54 except that the intermediate passage diameter and/or thedischarge port are different to obtain a desired different spraypattern.

As shown in FIG. 3, the similar enlarged lower ends 56 of the insertpassages are deep enough to fully seat the upper end of valve stem 12which abuts the bottoms thereof. The parts are shown in non-sprayingposition in FIG. 3, and it will be seen that button rim 49 is spacedabove the container upper end sufficiently to permit downwarddisplacement of the button relative to the container. Thus, when button44 is depressed by the finger of the operator against the top of thebutton, valve stem 12 will be depressed sufficiently to discharge theproduct through an insert passage.

Button 44 can be slidably raised to separate valve stem 12 from thepassage end 56 of insert 54, rotated to align passage end 56 of insert55 with the valve stem, and then pushed back toward the container untilthe FIG. 3 condition is attained, but with a different spray patternavailable through insert 55. Flanges 46 and 47 coact to prevent fullaccidental withdrawal of the button 44 from the cap structure.

The third bore 53 is of appreciably larger diameter than valve stem 12and is of such depth that full inward depression of button 44 will notinwardly displace valve stem 12. This is in the rotated non-sprayposition indicated by the designation LOCK in FIG. 2. The two spraypositions are indicated by L and H showing the two different spraycharacteristics. The three different rotative positions of the button 44may be sensibly determined and held as by a rounded detent on boss 43coacting with spaced dimples (not shown) in the button 44.

The centers of bores 51, 52 and 53 lie on a common circle the center ofwhich is the axis of rotation of button 44. This axis is displacedrelatively to the axis of valve stem by a selected eccentric distance eshown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 illustrates a form of the invention wherein the head button 44'which is rotatable within a cap boss 43 has two different spray patterndischarge passages 56, 57, 58' formed directly therewithin, and not ininserts as in FIGS. 1-5. In this embodiment the button has anoverhanging skirt 48' formed with openings 49' that align with -bossopening 50 in the indexed position.

FIGS. 7-9 illustrate a further embodiment wherein a different spraypattern selector member in the form of a head button 64 is rotatablewithin the hollow boss 65 of a cap 66 that is mounted on container 11 bya depending internal annulus 67 resiliently gripping the smallercontainer bead 16.

Head button 64 has one discharge passage consisting of an enlarged lowerend 68 fitting on the valve stem 12, an intermediate portion 69 and alateral outlet 71. A l80 spaced passage consists of an enlarged lowerend 72, an intermediate passage portion 73 and an outlet 74 of differentspray pattern characteristics. As shown in FIG. 7, outlet 71 is alignedwith a cap opening 75 so that depression of the button will displacevalve stem 12 and discharge container product through outlet 71, and tothe area to be treated.

An internal rib 76 within boss 65 coacts with an annular peripheralrecess 77 below the outlets on button 64 to permit raising button 64sufficiently to disengage it from the valve stem and rotate it to fit itwith the other passage end at 72. Rib 76 and recess 77 coact to preventaccidental full withdrawal of button 64 from the cap. Index marks H andL on the top of button 64 indicate which spray pattern passage isaligned with opening 75.

The use of interchangeably selective insert plugs such as shown at 54and 55 in FIGS. l-5 is particularly advantageous in that it is lessexpensive to form the required spray pattern passage configuration insuch small plugs that are inserted in proper orientation on the headthan to form the passages in accurate selective disposition on a largersolid head such as in FIG. 6. Moreover, this phase of the inventionenables production to more efficiently and inexpensively proceed bymaking all of the head buttons of the same structure, and separatelyform any desired number of insert plugs with different spray patternpassages, so that the basic head button structure may be assembled withany different combinations of available different spray pattern insertplugs.

FIGS. 10-16 illustrate a further embodiment of the invention which issimilar in most respects to that of FIGS. 2-6 but differs in some detailas will appear, simi- I lar parts being indicated by correspondingreference numerals.

A hollow cap structure 01 is detachably mounted upon container 11 by aninturned rim bead 82 sized to snap fit over the rib formed by containerseam 15, whereby to detachably support the assembly in the container. Aninternal shoulder 80 limits axial movement of the cap onto thecontainer.

At its upper end cap 81 has a hollow boss 83 having a reentrant bearingsection formed by an inwardly extending annular end flange 04 and aninternal wall 85 projecting downwardly from the radially inner edge ofthe flange. Wall 85 is formed on its inner side with a cylindricalsurface 86, and flange 84 has a smooth top surface 87 lying in a planeat right angles to the axis of surface 86.

The cap 81 is formed with a generally U-shaped side opening 88 thatextends through boss 83 and opens upwardly through flange 845, the edgesof the opening being flared outwardly as indicated at 89.

Opposite opening 88, surface 86 is formed with an upwardly and inwardlyopen circumferential recess 91 and three axially extending grooves 92,93 and 94. Recess 91 opens into flange surface 87 and into inner wallsurface 86. Recess 91 is 180 in length and its ends 132 and 132a asindicated in FIG. 18 serve as stop shoulders limiting rotation of thespray pattern member as will appear. Grooves 92 and 94 are open at theirtop to opposite ends of recess 91. The other groove 93 is also open atits top to recess 91 midway between the other two grooves, and islocated diametrically opposite opening 88. Grooves 92-94 may be of equallength and are closed at their lower ends.

It will be noted as indicated at e in FIG. 12 that the axis of surface86 is eccentric with respect to the axis of valve 12 of the container.

A multiple spray pattern member or button 95 is rotatably mountedconcentric with boss 83. Button 95 comprises a flat upper end disc 96having a downturned annular integral rim 97 around its outer periphery.Rim 97 is sufficiently short that it will not interfere with spraydischarged through opening 88 as will appear, and its periphery isknurled at 98 for ease of turning.

Button 95 is centrally formed with a depending integral boss 99 coaxialwith rim 97 having a cylindrical outer periphery 101 that fits slidablyand rotatably within the reentrant bearing surface 86. Boss 99 is longerthan rim 97 and at its lower end below the level of rim 97 is formedwith two diametrically opposite circular side openings 102 and 103.

At its upper end boss 99 is formed with two diametrically opposite ribs104 and 105 depending from the bottom of disc 96. Rib 104 is axiallylonger than rib 105 for a purpose to appear. Ribs 104 and 105 are bothaxially shorter than rim 97 and they are sized to fit slidably intogrooves 92-94. The lower ends of ribs 104 and 105 are preferablysmoothly rounded. Ribs 104, 105 are spaced 90 from adjacent openings102, 103.

Internally hollow boss 99 is formed with diametrically oppositecylindrical cells 106 and 107, integrally merging into boss 99 at theirouter sides and integrally connected at their inner sides 100. Thesecells provide downwardly open cylindrical bores 109 and 111 of the samesize having side apertures opening into boss opening 102 and 103 asshown in FIG. 12.

Cylindrical insert plugs 1 12 and 1 13 are tightly thrust into bores 109and 111 where they seat axially on shoulders 114 and 115 respectively sothat the lower ends of the plugs are flush with the lower end of boss99. Plug 112 has a short central downwardly open socket 116 sized toslidably receive valve stem 12, a circular side recess 117 of the samesize as opening 102, and a small diameter passage 118 extending from thesocket to open into the center of recess 117.

Diametric'ally opposite recess 117, plug 112 is formed with an axialgroove 119 adapted to slidably fit with an axial internal rib 121 incell 106. Groove 119 is closed at its lower end. Thus groove 119 and rib121 accurately locate the outlet end of passage 118 centrally withopening 102.

Similarly plug 113 has a short downwardly open socket 122 (FIG. 12) forslidably receiving valve stem 12, a circular side recess 123 and a smalldiameter passage 124 between the socket and recess. An axial plug groove125 slidably fits with internal cell rib 126, and this accuratelylocates the outer end of passage 124 centrally with opening 103.

' Plugs 112 and 113 are preferably identical except that passages 118and 124 are of different diameter to produce different spray patterns aswill appear. Either of these plugs may be removed and replaced withsimilar plugs having different passagesfor selecting different spraypatterns.

In assembly boss 99 is thrust into the open end of boss 83, this beinglimited by the abutment of flange 84 with the underside of disc 96. Asshown in FIG. 13 a plurality of generally wedge shaped projections 127are integral with the lower edge of boss 99. Since the cap 1 structureis composed of a relatively resilient plastic, these projections merelytemporarily resiliently deform the wall 86 as they pass down, and oncethey pass the lower edge of wall 86 the projections become effective toprovide upwardly facing axial abutments indicated at 128. As will appearprojections 127 may abut against the lower end of wall 86 to limitupward axial shift of button during operation.

It will be noted that longitudinal open spaces 129 and 131 are providedwithin boss 99 at opposite sides of the aligned cells. Also, see FIG.10, the top of disc 96 is molded with indicators 133 and 133 above thesmall and larger spray passage plugs, and a lock or non-spray indicator134 halfway between them located above space 131.

In the illustrated embodiment, when the button 95 is so mounted on thecap that the ribs 105 and 104 are slidably received in grooves 92 and 94respectively, the opening 103 will be aligned with cap opening 88 andthe socket 122 will be centered with valve stem 12 which it slidablyreceives when the cap is mounted on the container 11 and button 95 isdepressed. This is the heavy spray position and is shown in FIG. 12.When stem 12 bottoms in socket 122, which will take place before disc 96can contact flange 84, continued downward movement of the button willresult in depression of stem 12 to open the container valve and effect aheavy spray discharge pattern through cap opening 88.

Should a lighter spray be desired, the operator pulls upwardly on button95 until ribs 104 and 105 leave grooves 92 and 94. Upward movement ofthe button 95 is arrested when projection surfaces 128 engage the lowervedge of cap boss wall 85. At this point the shorter rib has movedaxially upwardly out of re cess 91, but the longer rib 104 remains inrecess 91 in substantial flush abutment with stop shoulder 132a. Theoperation may now rotate the button 95, counterclockwise in FIG. 10,through 180. During this rotation, the lower end of short rib 105 slidesalong flat surface 87, and the lower end of rib 104 moves along recess91 until it abuts stop shoulder 132 where it aligns with groove 92. Atthe same time rib 104 is aligned with groove 94. Now button 95 may bepushed axially downwardly to engage light spray socket 116 with thevalve stem 112. Depression of the button will now produce a light spraypattern through the cap opening 88.

Should the non-spray position be desired, button 95 is pulled upwardlyand rotated clockwise 90 until the indicator 134 is above opening 88, atwhich time the long rib 104 will become aligned with groove 93, and thenwhen the button is pushed down toward the container stem 12 will projectinto space 131 and will not be activated.

The parts are so dimensioned and arranged that just after the button 95is pulled out sufficiently to disengage the ribs 104, 105 from thegrooves 92-94, projections 127 will all solidly abut the lower end ofwall 86 to prevent further axial upward movement of the ribs asexplained above. Thus, button 95 can be turned only in a directionwherein the lower end of rib 105 may slide along the upwardly facingflat smooth surface 87, the shoulders 132 and 133 limiting turningmovement in the opposite directions.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are theremore intended to be embraced therein.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

l. A combination spray pattern selecting and valve operating assemblyadapted to be mounted on a pressurized container having a valve providedwith an upstanding reciprocable hollow actuator and product dischargestem comprising cap structure having means for mounting it on such acontainer, a spray pattern selector member having at least two spacedbores therein containing insert plugs that are formed with throughpassages, said passages having valve stem receiving recesses at theirinlet ends and being so constructed and arranged as to produce differentspray patterns at their outlets, and means mounting said member on saidcap structure for movement between a position wherein it may actuate thecontainer valve to discharge container contents through one of saidinsert passages and another position wherein it may actuate thecontainer valve to discharge container contents through the other insertpassage.

2. In the assembly defined in claim 1, said bores and insert plugs beingformed with cooperating means providing pre-determined orientation ofthe outlet of each relative to said selector member.

3. In the assembly defined in claim 1, said insert plugs each beingformed at the inlet end of its through passage with an end socket forslidably receiving said valve when said member is moved to actuate thevalve.

4. 1n the assembly defined in claim 1, said inserts being substantiallyidentical except for passage characteristics.

5. A combination spray pattern selecting and valve operating assemblyadapted to be mounted upon a pressurized container of the type having aprojecting movable hollow valve actuating and product dischrage stem andcomprising a cap structure having means for mounting it on such acontainer, a spray pattern selector member mounted on said cap structurefor rotation about a fixed axis and for displacement toward and from thecontainer, said member having at its lower end at least two downwardlyopen recesses each adapted to slidably receive said valve stem whenaligned therewith by rotation of said member, and means in said memberforming distinct spray pattern passages extending from each recess to aseparate lateral discharge outlet, said member and recesses being soconstructed and arranged that after rotation of said member to align aselected recess with said valve stem the member may be initiallydisplaced in the direction toward the container to confine the upper endof the valve stem in the selected recess in communication with theadjacent spray pattern passage and establish solid motion transmittingengagement between the member and valve stem whereby furtherdisplacement of the member in that direction moves the valve stem toeffect discharge of the container contents through the associated spraypassage and outlet, said member being formed with downwardly open boresand fixed inserts in said bores that are formed with the respectivevalve stem receiving recesses and the associated spray pattern passages.

6. In the assembly defined in claim 5, said bores and inserts beingformed with cooperating means providing predetermined orientation ofeach outlet relative to the member.

7. In the assembly defined in claim 6, said orientation providing meansbeing interfitting longitudinal rib and groove means on each bore andinsert.

8. In the assembly defined in claim 5, said bores being distributedalong the arc of a circle having its center on said axis, and saidinserts being unitary slidably introduced plugs each preformed with itsrecess and passage.

9. In the assembly defined in claim 5, means for indexing said member inpositions of rotation wherein said recesses align with the valve stem.

10. In the assembly defined in claim 5, said member being formed with afurther downwardly open recess spaced from said two recesses and of suchdepth that when said member is rotated to align said further recess withsaid stem and the member is displaced toward the container the valvestem is freely received within the further recess and the valve stem isnot moved by said member.

11. A combination spray pattern selecting and valve operating assemblyadapted to be mounted upon a pressurized container of the type having aprojecting hollow valve actuating and product discharge stem andcomprising a cap structure having means for mounting it on such acontainer, an upwardly open hollow boss on the upper end of said capstructure, said boss having a cylindrical inner surface a spray patternselector member mounted on said boss for rotation about the axis of saidboss and for slidable displacement toward and from the container, saidmember having a depending cylindrical surface surrounded by, rotatablein and axially slidable on said boss surface, and said member having atits lower end at least two downwardly open sockets each adapted toreceive said valve stem when aligned therewith by rotation of saidmember, and means in said member forming distinct spray pattern passagesextending from each socket to a separate lateral discharge outlet, saidmember and sockets being so constructed and arranged that after rotationof said member to align a selected socket with said valve stem themember may be initially displaced in the direction toward the containerto confine the upper end of the valve stem in the selected socket incommunication with the adjacent spray pattern passage end and establishsolid motion transmitting engagement between the member and valve stemwhereby further displacement of the member in that direction moves thevalve stem to effect discharge of the container contents through theassociated spray passage and outlet, and cooperating means on said bossand member at said surfaces for preventing said motion transmittingengagement except when said member is in one of said valve operatingpositions.

12. In the assembly defined in claim 11, said member being a one-piecebutton and said sockets, passages and outlets being formed directly insaid button.

13. In the assembly defined in claim. 11, said cap structure having acircular flexible lower edge portion whereby it is detachably mounted onthe container symmetrical about an axis coinciding substantially withthe axis of said valve stem, the axis of said boss being eccentric withrespect to the axis of said lower edge portion, and said sockets beingdisposed substantially on a circle having a radius substantially equalto the dis-- tance between said axes.

14. in the assembly definedin claim 11, cooperating axial abutments onsaid member and boss for limiting sliding movement of the member. 1

15. A combination spray pattern selecting and valve operating assemblyadapted to. be mounted upon a pressurized container of the type having aprojecting hollow valve actuating and product discharge stem andcomprising a cap structure having means for mounting it on such acontainer, a hollow boss on the upper end of said cap structure, a spraypattern selector member mounted on said boss forrotation about the axisof said boss and for slidable displacement toward and from thecontainer, said member having at its lower end at least two downwardlyopen sockets each adapted to receive said valve stem when alignedtherewith by rotation of said member, and means in said member formingdistinct spray pattern passages extending from each socket to a separatelateral discharge outlet, said member and sockets being so constructedand arranged that after rotation of said member to align a selectedsocket with said valve stem the member may be initially displaced in thedirection toward the container to confine the upper end of the valvestem in the selected socket in communication with the adjacent spraypattern passage end and establish solid motion transmitting engagementbetween the member and valve stem whereby further displacement of themember in that direction moves the valve stem to effect discharge of thecontainer contents through the associated spray passage and outlet, saidcap structure boss being an upwardly open boss having a cylindricalinner surfaceand said member having a depending cylindrical surface rotothe container, said groove and rib means being so disposed andcooperatively formed as to prevent said motion transmitting engagementbetween said member and the valve stem except when said member is in oneof said valve operating positions.

16. In the assembly defined in claim 15, said ribs being of differentlength and being formed on said member and said grooves being formed inthe boss surface, means providing an upwardly facing recess in said bosssurface connecting the upper ends of said grooves after the lower end ofthe shorter rib has left said recess and while the lower end of thelonger rib remains in saidrecess and having stop shoulders at oppositeends, and cooperating means'on said boss and member for preventing axialdisplacement of said member away from the container whereby said membermay be rotated between valve operating positions defined by said stopshoulders.

17. In the assembly defined in claim 16, said boss having a flat planartop surface slidingly associated with the lower end of said short ribduring rotation of said member.

18. A combination spray pattern selecting and valve operating assemblyadapted to be mounted on a pressurized container having a valvecomprising cap structure having means for mounting it on such acontainer, a spray pattern selector member having at least two spacedbores therein containing insert plugs that are formed with throughpassages, said passages being so constructed and arranged as to producedifferent spray patterns at their outlets, and means mounting saidmember on said cap structure for movement between a position wherein itmay actuate the container valve to discharge container contents throughone of said insert. passages and another position wherein it mayactuatethe container valve to discharge container contents through theother insert passage, said bores and insert plugs being formed withcooperating interfitting longi tudinal rib and groove means providingpredetermined orientation of the outlet of each said passage relative tosaid selector member.

19. A combination spray pattern selecting and valve operatinga'ssemblyadapted to be mounted on a pressurized container having a valvecomprising cap structure having means for mounting it on such acontainer, a spray pattern selector member having at least two spacedbores therein containing insert plugs that are formed with throughpassages, said passages being so constructed and arranged as to producedifferent spray patterns at their outlets,- and means mounting saidmember on said cap structure for movement between a position wherein itmay actuate the container valve to discharge container contents throughone of said insert passages and another position wherein it may actuatethe container valve to discharge container contents throughthe otherinsert passage, said selector member being a head mounted on the capstructure for rotation about an axis parallel to the axis of thecontainer, said bores being downwardly open recesses in said head, andsaid insert plugs being fixed within said recesses in predeterminedpositions of orientation.

20. A combination spray pattern selecting and valve operating assemblyadapted to be mounted upon a pressurized container of the type having aprojecting hollow valve actuating and product discharge stem andcomprising a cap structure having means for mounting it on such acontainer, a hollow boss on the upper end of said cap structure, a spraypattern selector member mounted on said boss for rotation about the axisof said boss and for slidable displacement toward and from thecontainer, said member having at its lower end at least two downwardlyopen sockets each adapted to receive said valve stem when alignedtherewith by rotation of said member, and means in said member formingdistinct spray pattern passages extending from each socket to a separatelateral discharge outlet, said member comprising a one-piece buttonhaving downwardly open bores, and said sockets and passages are formedin plug inserts within said bores and said member and sockets being soconstructed and arranged that after rotation of said member to align aselected socket with said valve stem the member may be initiallydisplaced in the direction toward the container to confine the upper endof the valve stem in the selected socket in communication with theadjacent spray pattern passage end and establish solid motiontransmitting engagement between the member and valve stem wherebyfurther displacement of the member in that direction moves the valvestem to effect discharge of the container contents through theassociated spray passage and outlet.

1. A combination spray pattern selecting and valve operating assemblyadapted to be mounted on a pressurized container having a valve providedwith an upstanding reciprocable hollow actuator and product dischargestEm comprising cap structure having means for mounting it on such acontainer, a spray pattern selector member having at least two spacedbores therein containing insert plugs that are formed with throughpassages, said passages having valve stem receiving recesses at theirinlet ends and being so constructed and arranged as to produce differentspray patterns at their outlets, and means mounting said member on saidcap structure for movement between a position wherein it may actuate thecontainer valve to discharge container contents through one of saidinsert passages and another position wherein it may actuate thecontainer valve to discharge container contents through the other insertpassage.
 2. In the assembly defined in claim 1, said bores and insertplugs being formed with cooperating means providing pre-determinedorientation of the outlet of each relative to said selector member. 3.In the assembly defined in claim 1, said insert plugs each being formedat the inlet end of its through passage with an end socket for slidablyreceiving said valve when said member is moved to actuate the valve. 4.In the assembly defined in claim 1, said inserts being substantiallyidentical except for passage characteristics.
 5. A combination spraypattern selecting and valve operating assembly adapted to be mountedupon a pressurized container of the type having a projecting movablehollow valve actuating and product dischrage stem and comprising a capstructure having means for mounting it on such a container, a spraypattern selector member mounted on said cap structure for rotation abouta fixed axis and for displacement toward and from the container, saidmember having at its lower end at least two downwardly open recesseseach adapted to slidably receive said valve stem when aligned therewithby rotation of said member, and means in said member forming distinctspray pattern passages extending from each recess to a separate lateraldischarge outlet, said member and recesses being so constructed andarranged that after rotation of said member to align a selected recesswith said valve stem the member may be initially displaced in thedirection toward the container to confine the upper end of the valvestem in the selected recess in communication with the adjacent spraypattern passage and establish solid motion transmitting engagementbetween the member and valve stem whereby further displacement of themember in that direction moves the valve stem to effect discharge of thecontainer contents through the associated spray passage and outlet, saidmember being formed with downwardly open bores and fixed inserts in saidbores that are formed with the respective valve stem receiving recessesand the associated spray pattern passages.
 6. In the assembly defined inclaim 5, said bores and inserts being formed with cooperating meansproviding predetermined orientation of each outlet relative to themember.
 7. In the assembly defined in claim 6, said orientationproviding means being interfitting longitudinal rib and groove means oneach bore and insert.
 8. In the assembly defined in claim 5, said boresbeing distributed along the arc of a circle having its center on saidaxis, and said inserts being unitary slidably introduced plugs eachpreformed with its recess and passage.
 9. In the assembly defined inclaim 5, means for indexing said member in positions of rotation whereinsaid recesses align with the valve stem.
 10. In the assembly defined inclaim 5, said member being formed with a further downwardly open recessspaced from said two recesses and of such depth that when said member isrotated to align said further recess with said stem and the member isdisplaced toward the container the valve stem is freely received withinthe further recess and the valve stem is not moved by said member.
 11. Acombination spray pattern selecting and valve operating assembly adaptedto be mounted upon a pressurized container of the type having aprojecting hollow valve actuAting and product discharge stem andcomprising a cap structure having means for mounting it on such acontainer, an upwardly open hollow boss on the upper end of said capstructure, said boss having a cylindrical inner surface a spray patternselector member mounted on said boss for rotation about the axis of saidboss and for slidable displacement toward and from the container, saidmember having a depending cylindrical surface surrounded by, rotatablein and axially slidable on said boss surface, and said member having atits lower end at least two downwardly open sockets each adapted toreceive said valve stem when aligned therewith by rotation of saidmember, and means in said member forming distinct spray pattern passagesextending from each socket to a separate lateral discharge outlet, saidmember and sockets being so constructed and arranged that after rotationof said member to align a selected socket with said valve stem themember may be initially displaced in the direction toward the containerto confine the upper end of the valve stem in the selected socket incommunication with the adjacent spray pattern passage end and establishsolid motion transmitting engagement between the member and valve stemwhereby further displacement of the member in that direction moves thevalve stem to effect discharge of the container contents through theassociated spray passage and outlet, and cooperating means on said bossand member at said surfaces for preventing said motion transmittingengagement except when said member is in one of said valve operatingpositions.
 12. In the assembly defined in claim 11, said member being aone-piece button and said sockets, passages and outlets being formeddirectly in said button.
 13. In the assembly defined in claim 11, saidcap structure having a circular flexible lower edge portion whereby itis detachably mounted on the container symmetrical about an axiscoinciding substantially with the axis of said valve stem, the axis ofsaid boss being eccentric with respect to the axis of said lower edgeportion, and said sockets being disposed substantially on a circlehaving a radius substantially equal to the distance between said axes.14. In the assembly defined in claim 11, cooperating axial abutments onsaid member and boss for limiting sliding movement of the member.
 15. Acombination spray pattern selecting and valve operating assembly adaptedto be mounted upon a pressurized container of the type having aprojecting hollow valve actuating and product discharge stem andcomprising a cap structure having means for mounting it on such acontainer, a hollow boss on the upper end of said cap structure, a spraypattern selector member mounted on said boss for rotation about the axisof said boss and for slidable displacement toward and from thecontainer, said member having at its lower end at least two downwardlyopen sockets each adapted to receive said valve stem when alignedtherewith by rotation of said member, and means in said member formingdistinct spray pattern passages extending from each socket to a separatelateral discharge outlet, said member and sockets being so constructedand arranged that after rotation of said member to align a selectedsocket with said valve stem the member may be initially displaced in thedirection toward the container to confine the upper end of the valvestem in the selected socket in communication with the adjacent spraypattern passage end and establish solid motion transmitting engagementbetween the member and valve stem whereby further displacement of themember in that direction moves the valve stem to effect discharge of thecontainer contents through the associated spray passage and outlet, saidcap structure boss being an upwardly open boss having a cylindricalinner surface and said member having a depending cylindrical surfacerotatable in and axially slidable on said boss surface, and cooperatinglongitudinal groove and rib means at said surfaces for locating saidmember in valve oPerating positions and guiding axial movement thereofrelative to the container, said groove and rib means being so disposedand cooperatively formed as to prevent said motion transmittingengagement between said member and the valve stem except when saidmember is in one of said valve operating positions.
 16. In the assemblydefined in claim 15, said ribs being of different length and beingformed on said member and said grooves being formed in the boss surface,means providing an upwardly facing recess in said boss surfaceconnecting the upper ends of said grooves after the lower end of theshorter rib has left said recess and while the lower end of the longerrib remains in said recess and having stop shoulders at opposite ends,and cooperating means on said boss and member for preventing axialdisplacement of said member away from the container whereby said membermay be rotated between valve operating positions defined by said stopshoulders.
 17. In the assembly defined in claim 16, said boss having aflat planar top surface slidingly associated with the lower end of saidshort rib during rotation of said member.
 18. A combination spraypattern selecting and valve operating assembly adapted to be mounted ona pressurized container having a valve comprising cap structure havingmeans for mounting it on such a container, a spray pattern selectormember having at least two spaced bores therein containing insert plugsthat are formed with through passages, said passages being soconstructed and arranged as to produce different spray patterns at theiroutlets, and means mounting said member on said cap structure formovement between a position wherein it may actuate the container valveto discharge container contents through one of said insert passages andanother position wherein it may actuate the container valve to dischargecontainer contents through the other insert passage, said bores andinsert plugs being formed with cooperating interfitting longitudinal riband groove means providing predetermined orientation of the outlet ofeach said passage relative to said selector member.
 19. A combinationspray pattern selecting and valve operating assembly adapted to bemounted on a pressurized container having a valve comprising capstructure having means for mounting it on such a container, a spraypattern selector member having at least two spaced bores thereincontaining insert plugs that are formed with through passages, saidpassages being so constructed and arranged as to produce different spraypatterns at their outlets, and means mounting said member on said capstructure for movement between a position wherein it may actuate thecontainer valve to discharge container contents through one of saidinsert passages and another position wherein it may actuate thecontainer valve to discharge container contents through the other insertpassage, said selector member being a head mounted on the cap structurefor rotation about an axis parallel to the axis of the container, saidbores being downwardly open recesses in said head, and said insert plugsbeing fixed within said recesses in predetermined positions oforientation.
 20. A combination spray pattern selecting and valveoperating assembly adapted to be mounted upon a pressurized container ofthe type having a projecting hollow valve actuating and productdischarge stem and comprising a cap structure having means for mountingit on such a container, a hollow boss on the upper end of said capstructure, a spray pattern selector member mounted on said boss forrotation about the axis of said boss and for slidable displacementtoward and from the container, said member having at its lower end atleast two downwardly open sockets each adapted to receive said valvestem when aligned therewith by rotation of said member, and means insaid member forming distinct spray pattern passages extending from eachsocket to a separate lateral discharge outlet, said member comprising aone-piece button having downwardly open bores, and said sockets andpassages are formed in plug inserts within said bores and said memberand sockets being so constructed and arranged that after rotation ofsaid member to align a selected socket with said valve stem the membermay be initially displaced in the direction toward the container toconfine the upper end of the valve stem in the selected socket incommunication with the adjacent spray pattern passage end and establishsolid motion transmitting engagement between the member and valve stemwhereby further displacement of the member in that direction moves thevalve stem to effect discharge of the container contents through theassociated spray passage and outlet.